Patrick Mahomes was a phenomenal athlete as a teenager. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback excelled in basketball and baseball before ultimately committing to football. Similarly, the 2025 NFL Draft boasts an array of talented athletes, but Cam Ward-former Miami Hurricane-stands out for his striking multi-sport background, reminiscent of Mahomes.
During his high school years, Mahomes juggled multiple sports, thriving in each. He received basketball scholarship offers from several universities and was even selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 2014 MLB Draft for baseball.
Matching someone like Mahomes is no small feat; however, Ward’s former coach, Darrell Colbert Jr., is convinced Ward is as close as it gets in the 2025 class. “I’m not saying this kid is Patrick Mahomes,” Colbert admitted, “but his play style is very Mahomes-like.”
Ward’s playstyle sparks comparisons
In an interview with The Rich Eisen Show, Colbert drew compelling parallels between his former star pupil and the Chiefs quarterback. “It’s how they look-the build, the way they throw from different arm angles, and all the off-platform plays. Everything Pat does, Cam does,” Colbert explained.
Even their athletic backgrounds align, according to Colbert. “The baseball background that Cam has, Patrick Mahomes has,” he stated. Colbert also revealed Ward is well aware of the resemblance, adding, “He [Ward] watches Patrick Mahomes, so he sees that [and] he’s like, ‘Okay, shoot, I do the same stuff, you know.'”
Though Colbert stopped short of calling Ward the next Mahomes, he doubled down on his comparison. “Of course, Keller Williams does a lot of stuff as well, but my comparison would be Patrick Mahomes. I’m not saying he’s Patrick Mahomes, but his play style is very close,” Colbert affirmed. He’s not alone in this belief.
Louis Riddick chimes in: Is Ward Mahomes 2.0?
Former player and analyst Louis Riddick echoed these sentiments, describing Ward as strikingly similar to Mahomes. “Look, I said my comp for Cam Ward because of the way he plays, he reminds me of Patrick Mahomes” Riddick said.
He pointed out Ward’s unconventional style mirrors Mahomes. “How he can throw the football from all kinds of weird angles. Then just put a bunch of power on it when he needs to,” Riddick explained.
Most analysts expect the Tennessee Titans to select Ward as the No. 1 pick in the draft. If not, it’s unlikely the Browns or Giants will pass on him on turns two and three, respectively. After all, who wouldn’t want the next Patrick Mahomes?
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